Police have launched a murder inquiry following a Incident in Westport Road, Burslem, on Sunday 25th April

Detectives at Staffordshire Police have launched a murder inquiry following an incident in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent.

Police and the ambulance service were called to a flat in Astbury Court, Westport Road, just before 9pm on Sunday 25 April following a report of an injured woman at the location.

Despite the best efforts of police and paramedics, the 41-year-old woman died. Officers are confident they know who the woman is, although she has yet to be formally identified. A post mortem examination to determine the cause of death is expected to take place later today.

The Astbury Court address remains cordoned off whilst specialist forensic officers conduct a detailed examination of the scene.

Road closures initially put in place on Westport Road and Hall Street have now been lifted.

DI Guy Titchener of the force’s Major Investigations Department, who is leading the investigation, said: "Officers are now working to piece together the events which led to this tragic death.

"Detectives are already pursuing a number of lines of inquiry. They will also be carrying out detailed house to house inquiries in the immediate area and will be interviewing all potential witnesses.

"The detectives will be supported by uniformed officers from the Burslem neighbourhood policing team, who will be on hand to support the wider community at this difficult time.

"I would urge anyone with any information on this incident - however small and insignificant it may seem - to come forward."

Inspector Martin Brereton, commander of Burslem Neighbourhood Policing Unit (NPU), said: "This incident will undoubtedly cause concern amongst the local community and I want to reassure local people we are here to support them.

"I want to thank those residents affected by the cordon who have been cooperating with the police officers managing the scene.

"Many residents will be visited by detectives from the force’s Major Investigation Department, who are working closely with the local neighbourhood policing team.

"Thankfully incidents like this are rare and it’s our role, as the local neighbourhood policing team, to support our community and keep them informed at this time.

"We have a regular police surgery at the Police Post in St Paul’s Church, Church Square, Middleport at 2.00pm every Tuesday if people need to speak to us."

Please call the incident room on 0300 123 4455 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with any information.

http://www.staffordshire.police.uk/news/news_releases/